Joe W. Forehand

Joe W. Forehand is the chairman of Accenture. "In addition to chairing the board of directors, Mr. Forehand provides input into Accenture’s business strategy and helps build relationships with Accenture’s clients as well as with business and government leaders. Mr. Forehand will retire from Accenture and the company’s board of directors on Aug. 31, 2006.

"Mr. Forehand served as Accenture’s CEO from November 1999 through August 2004, leading Accenture through a period of significant change and growth. In August 2000, Mr. Forehand orchestrated the successful conclusion of the company’s arbitration process with Andersen Worldwide. Shortly thereafter, the company changed its name to Accenture and undertook one of the largest global rebranding campaigns of its kind in record time. In July 2001 Mr. Forehand led the company in its IPO, one of the largest in US history. Mr. Forehand has also overseen the company’s strategic change initiative, moving Accenture from a conventional consulting model to a focus on business consulting, technology leadership and outsourcing." 

"Mr. Forehand joined the company in 1972 in the Atlanta office and became a partner 10 years later. He was named Accenture’s CEO in November 1999 and chairman of the board of directors in February 2001. Immediately prior to becoming CEO, he led Accenture’s Communications & High Tech operating group.

"Mr. Forehand has received many honors for his visionary leadership. Among them are the Carl S. Sloane Award for Excellence in Management Consulting and the Morgan Stanley Leadership Award for Global Commerce, sponsored by the Computerworld Honors Program. Mr. Forehand also is a member of the Hands On Network Advisory Council, which advises the Hands On Network as it seeks to extend and enhance volunteer and civic action through corporate participation.

"Raised in Alabama, Mr. Forehand graduated from Auburn University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering. He received a Master of Science degree in industrial administration from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University in 1972. Mr. Forehand also holds an honorary doctorate of management from Purdue University."